The DJ Who Made It At 40 (ft. DJ Tennis) | EF EP 153

What does it really take to get signed to a respected electronic label? Hint: it has nothing to do with your follower count. Olivia Mancuso sits down with DJ Tennis, founder of Life and Death, who didn't earn his first real DJ recognition until he was 40. He traces his path from Italy's punk and DIY scene into Italo disco, house, and techno, and explains why wedding DJ work is underrated training. He also shares the rejected record that went Beatport number one for a year, and what he actually signs artists for: character, hard work, and vision. For any producer chasing a sustainable career, it's proof the slow burn wins. --------------------------------------------- 👉 Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth: https://greenroomnetwork.com/creator/... 👉 Instagram:   / oliviamancuso_   👉 Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx --------------------------------------------- 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Surviving The Comments 01:59 Punk Roots And DIY 04:26 The Pisa Punk Scene 05:15 Every Job In Music 05:36 Italo Disco Origins 06:45 The Wedding DJ Craft 08:36 His House Music Wedding 09:11 The Transition Into DJing 09:47 First Recognition At 40 10:48 Becoming A Mature DJ 11:38 Why Not To Rush 12:48 Signing X And Ivy 13:54 What He Looks For 15:12 Fame Isn't Required 16:08 The Follower Count Myth 18:16 Why He Started Life And Death 18:42 The Record Everyone Rejected 20:03 Cooking To Survive 21:00 A Family That Cooks 23:49 Losing Hospitality 25:02 Food As Convivio 25:56 The Paris Pregame 27:36 Meals Make The Day 28:16 The Chicago Food List 31:32 Advice For Future Artists